The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1887-04-28
lFor the PROGRESSIVE FARMER.
ST. JOHNS GRANGE.

AS is we'll known to you, Mt. Pleas
ant Grange No. 81, known as st.
Johns Grange, from the location Of
it's hall, is the only living Grange West
of Raleigh. 1t has maintained its
organization for several years without
cooperation on the part Of %neighbor-
ing organizations Of a similar kind,
for the simple and sufficient reason
that there have been no neighboring
organizations of a similar kind to CO.
operate with. A better day, however,
seems to be coming. The fact that
the Grange has been kept alive under
such circumstances is strong evidence
that the members in sufficient num-
Der have had, and still have, an abid-
ing faith in the principle that if farm
ers do not look after their own inter-
ests, other parties to whom that i'm
portant duty may be delegated, will
not do so.
This Grange is composed of intel
ligent members, among whom may be
found some of the most industrious,
progressive and prosperous farmers of
Cabarrus county. The interest in be-
half of the Grange has been kept up
by well chosen subjects for discussion
at the regular monthly meetings, as
we'll as by a deep-seated conviction
which seems to prevail among the
members, that important reforms a n
not be inaugurated on the farm, in
the making of laws, in the administra-
ton of justice, and in educating the
people, especially, the farmer, by the
short cuts of inconsiderate though ap-
parently well-conceived action, but
must come little by little, the result of
systematic effort, consisting of we'll
| defined notions of what is wanted, of
well-laid plans, deliberately executed
not as a whole, but part after part as
the favorable time may present each
for execution.
1t is certainly with pleasure that
Mt. Pleasant Grange sees the interest
farmers are taking in organization,
whether the nature of organization be
Oranges or clubs. We have our rea-
sons for thinking that the Grange
offers the farmers the best opportunity
for promoting their interests on the
farm, in the school, and in the govern
ment, and if you ask us which to join,
we will tellyouto join the Grange. The
reader will no doubt freely pardon us
for stating u preference, since it is
natural that. we should be attached to
an organization to which our older
members have belonged fifteen or more
years, much Of the time without that
sympathy from the farming classes for
whose especial benefit the Grange was
instituted, which we oftentimes
thought we ought to receive, particu-
larly in respondent moments, of which
we certainly have had no small share.
Next to the Grange we think clubs
should engage the serious considera-
ton of farmers, for certainly we favor
organization; thinking it the only way
in which farmers can come to a correct
understanding of their rue interests.
Our position OF the important subject
of organization is explained by the
following resolution adopted at our
regular meeting in April, to-wit.:
"Resolved, That this Grange is ready
and willing to cooperate with other
farmers organizations in protecting
the rights Of farmers, and advancing
the aus of agriculture, and that we
are ready to assist in organizing farm
ers' associations be the same in the
form of clubs or oranges, and parties
desiring information on the subject Of
organization are. requested to address
the Secretary of Mt. Pleasant Grange,
Mt. Pleasant, N. c."
After the adoption of the foregoing
resolution, '"on motion, G. E. Richie,
M. Dove and H. T. J. Ludwig we're
authorized to assist in behalf of this
Grange in forming clubs and oranges
whenever application shall have been
made for assistance"
So you see, MI. Editor, we are with
you on the subject of organization, and
naturally wish you success In your
noble work.
Our meetings are sometimes well at
tended, and oftentimes not so well. The
April meeting was a very interesting
one. The worthy lecturer, 81. c. Nc
Allister, delivered a well conceived
discourse on the subject of drainage,
turning the subject in a happy a
ner from the proper drainage of the
land, to the proper drainage of society